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She did not hesitate as she obediently took them in her mouth, swirling her tongue until I was clean. I swooped down to kiss her, and the taste of us mixed together made me desperate for more. Mari nipped and sucked until she got me by the lip and chomped down.
“Motherfuck.” I pulled back, trying to frown, even while I was laughing. I could taste the blood already. “You bit me.”
“You bit me first.”
“I marked you,” I corrected. “Are you mad?”
Hopefully not. I ran my finger over the already-purple indent from my teeth. It was hot, and I wasn’t going to apologize for it when I was already desperate to see what else I could mark her with.
The way she glared up at me, all laughing frustration, told me she wasn’t. “I’m not a piece of property to claim, Greyson.”
“No, but you are mine. My woman. My heart. My partner. Ideally, I’d like people to know that.” She tried to keep her face stern, but I could read her. She loved it; she just didn’t know whether it would affect her leadership. Hard to manhandle a bunch of dudes with someone’s teeth on your neck. I got it.
“I’ll keep my teeth in non-visible places from now on, okay?” I promised.
At least until I find another way to lay my claim. The idea of jewelry returned, and I had an idea of something that would make us both happy.
Her lips twitched. “You better.”
Tipping myself to the side, I lifted an arm and waited. Sated and sleepy, Mari wrapped herself around me the way I’d always hoped she would. She’d nearly drifted off again when I spoke against her temple. “Don’t keep me out again, Mari. I couldn’t take it.”
“I won’t. We’re better together.”
We were, and that was how we’d remain. Together.
Chapter Twenty
Mari
I met Aislynn at a local brunch place near the wharf called Little Sal’s, with Cameron playing bodyguard. My cousin rarely took the role anymore, but I’d barely had to ask before he agreed. He knew as well as I did that things were changing, and if we weren’t careful, we’d be planning more funerals.
The host, a college freshman and cousin of the owner, Maya, hustled us to a private booth near the back. She left with a respectful nod just as quickly. No doubt running off to tell Sal Jr. himself that I’d arrived. I hadn’t given him notice I was coming, so I hoped he wasn’t too busy.
Antoni and I had been coming to Little Sal’s since we were kids, back when Big Sal was the actual owner. When he’d died and Sal Jr. took over, we’d still been their best customers. It was my brother’s favorite place to eat, and more than once, we’d come in after a booze-soaked night, hoping to cure the next day’s hangover with their world-class poutine. I felt Antoni in every piece of refinished leather in the booths and every bite of food on the seemingly random menu.
“What’s good?” Ash asked, looking around the table for a menu that would never come. You didn’t order at Little Sal’s. You ate what he sent you. At least, I always had.
Cameron leaned back, eyes sharp, though his posture was deceptively lazy. “Everything.”
“Don’t worry,” I told her. “Sal will hook us up.”
I tried to smile at my friend, but it didn’t feel right. Despite everything with Greyson, a tiny seed of jealousy curled in my stomach. In a different world, she would have had him. My Greyson. I hadn’t realized how protective of him I was, but just the thought had me seething.
It’s not her fault, I reminded myself. She didn’t ask to be a prize for her father.
Deep breaths were my friends while I tried to rein in my more extreme impulses. Unfortunately for me, both my companions noticed. While Cameron raised an eyebrow, Ash looked concerned.
“You’re quieter than normal. Something wrong?” she asked, and my guilt amplified. Maybe it was knowing that her father was trying to sell her off again, or maybe it was all the times I’d tortured myself picturing her with Grey, but I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to hurt her because of my own issues. Ash was one of the only friends I had, and I didn’t want that to change.
I should’ve brought Shara. My sister-in-law could’ve had the whole mess sorted in minutes.
“That depends on you, actually.”
Aislynn’s eyes widened, but before I could say anything else, our server came over for the drink order.
I ordered a few—including a Kahlua-and-coffee milkshake that I was near desperate for—and nodded to Ash and Cameron. “I suggest you get a real drink. You’re going to need it. Both of you.”
They each picked something, and the server left with a look of pity at them both that almost made me laugh, but I was too nervous. The feel of it curdling in my stomach was a reminder of something I’d only just realized.
